What is the best stone for sharpening knives

[bladelover111]

I am in need of a good stone for sharpening. I know there are different grades and I would like one that could do it all. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Briggz]

skip the stones, try this method

http://barkriverknives.com/home.html

I could never sharpen before, this way I can shave

 

[bladelover111]

Interesting approach. What type of paper is used?

 

[tarmix101]

skip the stones, try this method

http://barkriverknives.com/home.html

I could never sharpen before, this way I can shave

That method works very well. Not only for convexed knives, but you can convex a secondary edge bevel, sometimes refereed to as the "Moran Edge". Works very well and creates a edge that will last for a long time in good steel.

You can build one out of a mouse pad and a small block of wood. I glued a mouse pad to a 1X2, cut some slits on the end of the 1X2 so you could stuff the extra paper into the slots, and shim it up with tooth picks. Works great.

Edited to add:

If it's stones you're after, and don't mind spending some $$$. The King brand wet stones are fantastic. I really didn't know what a polished edge was until I used wet stones.

They will run you a fair amount of money though. I have a 250-800-1000-4000 grit stones. The Japanese grit system is different than our system.

The 250 is for major re-profiling, and I mean major. The 800 is to bring an edge back....ect.....

The 4000 can truly polish and edge. For wood working, I like a polished edge, otherwise I just finish it off with the 1000, and a loaded strop.

 

[tarmix101]

Interesting approach. What type of paper is used?

I use wet\dry paper. 320 to bring the edge back, 400, and then 800/1000 to finish it off.

As always a loaded strop to remove the burr.

 

[mckrob]

I am partial to the DMT Diafold, I have the blue/red (FWFC) dual sided one and it looks after most of my sharpening needs.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

For most of my uses I prefer a toothier edge so for a one sharpener does it all I would go with a combination Medium/Fine DMT diamond sharpener. With diamonds the stone will never dish out, it will easily sharpen even the most wear resistant steel, and can be used wet or dry. IMO it is the most versatile type of sharpener.
Even more important than type of sharpener is your technique- practice until you get the results you are looking for.

 

[tarmix101]

Even more important than type of sharpener is your technique- practice until you get the results you are looking for.

That can not be said enough. Took a LONG time for me to figure it out. I still can always use the practice.

 

[bladelover111]

I was thinking the spyderco sharpmaker since I am a beginner but that is cheating now isn't it.It might be the best way for me until I have time to learn to work with a real stone.

 

[CSG]

Systems like the Sharpmaker are not cheating. They work and put an edge on a knife. Convex edges are different and need another method.

I'm real happy using a Smith's 3-in-1 for everything but the F1 and I haven't needed to sharpen it yet.

 

[magneto]

Diamonds, there not just for girls anymore.

 

[1Tracker]

That method works very well. Not only for convexed knives, but you can convex a secondary edge bevel, sometimes refereed to as the "Moran Edge". Works very well and creates a edge that will last for a long time in good steel.

You can build one out of a mouse pad and a small block of wood. I glued a mouse pad to a 1X2, cut some slits on the end of the 1X2 so you could stuff the extra paper into the slots, and shim it up with tooth picks. Works great.

Edited to add:

If it's stones you're after, and don't mind spending some $$$. The King brand wet stones are fantastic. I really didn't know what a polished edge was until I used wet stones.

They will run you a fair amount of money though. I have a 250-800-1000-4000 grit stones. The Japanese grit system is different than our system.

The 250 is for major re-profiling, and I mean major. The 800 is to bring an edge back....ect.....

The 4000 can truly polish and edge. For wood working, I like a polished edge, otherwise I just finish it off with the 1000, and a loaded strop.

Could you post a picture of the wood block setup being made? Thanks

 

[tarmix101]

Could you post a picture of the wood block setup being made? Thanks

Will do. I don't have access to it right now, so look to this thread later on tonight. I'll post it then with a detailed tutorial on what I did.

 

[tarmix101]

I used 1x4 cut to 9" in length. I also stacked the 1x4 x2 high so my hand isn't hitting the table surface while sharpening.

Cut the mouse pad to fit the top of the 1x4, and glue it down using rubber cement.

Glue and screw the cut 1x4's together.

Cut some channels about 1/2" deep in the middle of the top 1x4.

Since most sandpaper comes in 11" lengths, you can stuff the extra in the channels you cut, and shim it in with toothpicks, or small nails.

And there you have it. Most everything else is technique.

Pics:

 

[lotoblades]

I like the dmt stones for reshaping an edge and either a ceramic rod or stone for finishing followed by a strop, loaded or plain leather depending on the knife.